The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released COVID-19 testing guidance for Federal workplaces, including multiple testing strategies and information about different forms of testing, a CDC memo says.
The memo was released to aid in Federal compliance with an executive order signed by President Biden in January. The memo includes strategies for both diagnostic testing and screening testing, and the CDC suggests incorporating multiple methods into the workplace testing strategy.
“Federal agencies can incorporate SARS-CoV-2 testing as part of a comprehensive approach to reducing transmission in non-healthcare workplaces,” the memo says. “CDC recommends a layered approach to reduce workplace exposures to SARS-CoV-2. Symptom screening, testing, and contact tracing are strategies to identify workers infected with SARS-CoV-2 so that actions can be taken to slow and stop the spread of the virus.”
The memo looks to help Federal agencies comply with Biden’s “Ensuring a Data-Driven Response to COVID-19 and Future High Consequence Public Threats” executive order, which – in addition to creating a mask mandate on Federal property – put Federal agencies on the hook for the “gathering, sharing, and publication of COVID-19 data.”
Notably, the guidelines do not address Federal workforce testing in healthcare facilities, long-term care or nursing homes, or Federal detention centers which all have separate testing requirements.
